Ovarian hormone effects on 5-hydroxytryptamine2A and 5-hydroxytryptamine2C receptor mRNA expression in the ventral hippocampus and frontal cortex of female rats

Alterations in female gonadal hormones are associated with anxiety and mood changes. The aim of the present study was to determine influences of chronic gonadal hormone supplementation on 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptor mRNA levels in the ventral hippocampus and the frontal cerebral cortex. Ovariectomized adult female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 37) received implantation of subcutaneous pellets containing different dosages of 17beta-estradiol alone or in combination with progesterone, or placebo pellets, for 2 weeks. Serotonin receptor mRNA levels were analyzed by in situ hybridization in the ventral hippocampus and 5-HT2A receptor mRNA also in the frontal cortex. Estradiol treatment in combination with low-dose progesterone increased 5-HT2A receptor mRNA by 43% in the CA2 region of the ventral hippocampus, while estradiol combined with high-dose progesterone increased the expression of this gene by 84% in ventral CA1. 5-HT2A mRNA expression in the frontal cortex was not influenced by hormone manipulation. 5-HT2C receptor gene expression was in the ventral hippocampus decreased in the CA2, ventral CA1 and the subiculum subregions by high-dose estradiol treatment (8-20% decreases). Effects on mood by gonadal hormones can be mediated, at least partly, through influences on 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptor expression. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.